Harry Potter is one of the most beloved franchises of all time, whether in its books, which gave rise to the original story of this magical universe, or its films, which adapted the life of pop culture's most beloved wizard. This saga was so successful that, even after the conclusion of the main story, its cinematic universe was extended with 3 additional prequels! With this addition, do you know the correct way to watch Harry Potter in chronological order?
We know that many people are still trying to find out which films are from this fantasy world and how to watch Harry Potter in chronological order, especially after the release of three Fantastic Beasts films, the new trilogy in the saga. With this search in mind, we've prepared a list where we'll explain the correct chronological order and also tell you the year each feature film was released. Are you ready? Then follow the list.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, set in 1926, is the first Harry Potter spin-off to hit theaters. The plot takes place 70 years before the events of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, serving as an introduction to the magical world and, of course, its creatures.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them follows the story of Newt Scamander wandering around New York, but doing so magically in the middle of the United States. If you want to watch Harry Potter in chronological order, start here.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
The second Harry Potter film in chronological order is the sequel to Fantastic Beasts, called The Crimes of Grindelwald. This time, we are taken to England and can see more connections with the original Harry Potter films, as we are introduced to Albus Dumbledore in his younger years!
The film still seeks to focus on the villain Gellert Grindelwald, introduced in the first film, and the cast includes Jude Law, Fiona Glascott and Johnny Depp.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore's Secrets is the third in the universe for those who want to follow Harry Potter in chronological order. It takes place in 1930, although there are some time jumps due to a character called Qilin. This feature film takes place five years after the events of The Crimes of Grindelwald and also focuses on the great villain of the franchise.
As Grindelwald moves in and plans to take control of the wizarding world, Professor Dumbledore is determined to stop him. However, he knows that accomplishing this feat alone will be impossible, so he entrusts his former student - Newt Scamander - to carry out a plan against the antagonist.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
Now we enter the first film in the original franchise, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone! But what year did Harry Potter go to Hogwart's? Well, the main plot of the movie is set in 1991, the year in which Harry begins his studies at magic school. But the story begins in 1980, which is the year Harry is born and left by Hagrid at the Dursleys' house. As the first original Harry Potter film in chronological order, it gives us our first glimpse into the wizarding world.
Harry receives a letter inviting him to begin his studies at Hogwarts, a school famous for training young wizards, and, alongside Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, he begins his journey, facing many challenges.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second film in the original series and follows Harry's second year at Hogwarts, taking place between 1992 and 1993. Just as he was about to return to his routine in the wizarding world, a creature called Dobby (a House Elf) invades Harry's room and warns him that returning to Hogwarts is a mistake and something bad may be about to happen.
Harry then begins to discover truths about his past and, consequently, about a dangerous wizard called Voldemort and his possible return to dominate the wizarding world.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
This is the sixth movie for those who want to watch Harry Potter in chronological order, taking place during Harry's third year at Hogwarts. This movie marks the beginning of a Dark Age, in which we begin to see the scarier side of the wizarding world, as well as introducing us to criminals, werewolves and the terrifying Dementors, ghostly creatures that suck the souls out of Azkaban's prisoners.
What's more, this is the movie that introduces us to Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and Remun Lupin, bringing countless twists and turns to the plot and changing Harry Potter's fate forever.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
The fourth film in the original series is the seventh film for fans who want to watch Harry Potter in chronological order, in which we follow Potter's fourth year at Hogwarts during the year of the Triwizard Tournament and the Inverse Ball. Other wizarding schools are included in this intercollegiate context, where each school has its own representative selected by the Goblet of Fire.
Mysteriously, Harry's name appears in the draw - even though he didn't sign up - and now he has to compete in various activities that include mazes, mermaids and a professional Quidditch tournament. However, the highlight of the movie is Harry's first encounter with Voldemort, fully alive and beginning a real threat.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the eighth Harry Potter film in chronological order and takes place in 1995, following the wizard's fifth year at Hogwarts. This is one of the most difficult years Harry will face, as few believe in Voldemort's return, with many claiming that both Harry and Dumbledore are mad.
Harry also has to deal with Dolores Umbridge, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who seems to be the most hideous and hateful person ever to set foot in Hogwarts.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is set in 1996 and we see Voldemort and his Death Eaters causing terror in both the wizarding and human worlds, but Harry and Dumbledore are working together to discover an effective way to destroy the Dark Lord once and for all. Meanwhile, Dumbledore reveals more secrets about the prophecy surrounding Harry, and Voldemort gets the help of one of the Hogwarts students to achieve his goals.
This film brings an even darker air to the franchise, being the ninth Harry Potter film in chronological order and showing us how the villain of the series is getting stronger, more articulate and with dangerous allies.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
The end of the franchise was split into two parts, with Deathly Hallows: Part 1 being the tenth Harry Potter film in chronological order, set in 1997 and adapting the seventh and final book in the original series. This time, we follow Harry, Ron and Hermione as they set off together, without the protection of their teachers, on a mission to destroy the Horcruxes, Voldemort's source of immortality. While dark forces try to separate them, the trio of friends must remain united and strong, however difficult that may be.
This movie is full of action scenes and brings a natural growth in the development of Harry Potter as a protagonist, helping the franchise to prepare its audience for the climax that is to come in its sequel.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Closing our list of Harry Potter films in chronological order is Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which takes place in 1998 and follows on from the previous film. Here, we finally see the battle between good and evil, with Harry and Voldemort facing off in an epic final fight, while his friends battle the Death Eaters.
This feature ends up taking some beloved characters away from the fans, but also highlights the heroism of another unexpected character, as well as bringing a definitive ending to this decade-long story.
The Harry Potter franchise marked a generation with a passion for magic and fantasy, and was a landmark of pop culture in the early 2000s. Although some fans prefer the story in the books, there's no denying the cultural impact the franchise has had on Hollywood and the industry as a whole, which has started to invest even more in literary sagas adapted for the big screen.
If you're a fan of cinema, films and series, or enjoy this type of content, you can't miss our articles on what is the chronological order of the Deathly Hallows movies? e the 11 most-watched Netflix series to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the names of the actors who play the Hogwarts teachers in the films?
Hogwarts wouldn't be among the most famous magic schools in the wizarding world and all the Harry Potter films wouldn't be the same without its team of powerful and didactic teachers.
The main characters and actors who bring each of these teachers to life are: Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), Alastor 'Dumb-Eye' Moody (Brendan Gleeson), Horatio Slughorn (Jim Broadbent), Alvo Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Remo Lupin (David Thewlis) and Severus Snape (Alan Rickman).
In what order should I read the Harry Potter books?
In addition to the books that gave rise to the movie saga, there are three more books that come first, but do not directly affect the understanding of the original plot. In fact, they are referred to as "part of the Hogwarts teaching material", but if you want to follow Harry Potter correctly in chronological order, just follow the order below:
1. Quidditch Through the Ages (2001);
2. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2001);
3. The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008);
4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997);
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998);
6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999);
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000);
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003);
9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005);
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007);
11. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2016);
